Staying Positive During Turbulent Political Times for Renewables

If solar and wind are so great, why do they need all these subsidies?
Can't they compete even when oil is at $130?

After apocalyptic scenarios related to the global warming began to interest scientists, there already began to appear results of exploration in the field of energy economy and some other ecological technologies. In June 2007 Popular Mechanics announced that India, specifically Tata Motors, had begun production of the first car moved by air. This year, Zero Pollution Motors (ZPM) announces that production of the similar model, destined for USA market is expecting to begin till the end of 2009, or at least 2010.

They have also tried to find some other solutions in nonpolluting propulsion domain. For example Daewoo a South-Korean company, created a Matiz concept with a hybrid engine: air – electric. Australian company EngineAir also developed a "rotative engine" moved by pressed air. K'Airmobiles presented two working concepts "VPA" (Vehicle with Pneumatic Assistance) and "VPP" (Vehicle with Pneumatic Propulsion) in the end of the last year; maximum weight of such a model being limited by 250 kg.

Propulsion technology of the AirCar's engine was developed by the former Formula 1 engineer for MDI (Motor Development International) from Luxemburg. While in the internal-combustion engines pistons are moved be the explosion of the fuel, then in an AirCar the moving is realized by air under pressure.

ZPM hope that soon the production of AirCars will be more than 10000 units annually. Models that will be launched will be OneCat, with two seats (as was produced in India) and MiniCat, with three seats. The company is also intending to launch a model called CityCat with six seats.

One refueling with 340 l of air under pressure will cost approximately 2 USD and will assure autonomy for more than 1000 km at the speed 100 km/h. The price for such a car is estimating to be 17800 USD.

It sounds too good to be true? We hope that not.

We need a total committment for energy independence from our government for our economic survival and WE ARE NOT GETTING IT! Instead they don't want to hurt Exxon's feelings. WE HAVE TO STAND UP AND DEMAND IT. As our enemies in the middle east accumulate unprecidented wealth at our expense, a nuclear war becomes more and more likely.

Oil is heavily subsidized and you'd be paying as lot more at the pump if it were not. Solar and wind need subs to level the playing field and the reasons why have been argued on this website many, many times....

Actually, total oil subsibies are about $2 billion/year. Exxon Mobil paid $30 Billion in income taxes in 2007.

I already have two solar projects that have been put on hold because the tax credits are in limbo. Both were PPAs and the investors have pulled back.

Kind of ironic given the huge incentives for biofuels passed by Republicans and Dems in the Farm Bill over Bush's veto.

At least the House keeps trying, it is the Senate where we keep loosing.

Maybe those in the solar field should make the technology more cost effective that people won't even consider oil. These are products that are already here and somewhat readily available. We should not need the government's incentive to tell us it is okay to use it. We can make thin film at pennies a foot. Does a 150W PV panel really need to cost near $1000.00? Are installation cost outragous? Seventy feet of copper in an aluminum frame box, $1000.00?
If the cost for these system were affordable, then we would not need the government's incentives. If everyone could easily afford to get free hot water and heat and cover their electric needs then they would not need the oil and electricity from those in control. Then they will be out even more than just a few dollars to those who installed renewables.
I've been in the solar game for some time and the only way I stay alive is that I am able to install systems at nealy half what the competitors are charging. I charge near cost for materials and work fast. I keep installations simple and try to minimize materials. Most customers say they would not have installed the system if it had cost more, despite the rebates.